The plaintiffs include more than 50 people who attended an August 2008 community meeting to discuss the checkpoints, which some residents say targeted Latinos.

Plaintiffs say police officers in plainclothes came to the meeting at a local religious center and threatened and intimidated participants. The lawsuit filed last week in Los Angeles accuses the officers of interfering with their rights to free speech, assembly and religion.

Mark Gluba, assistant to the city manager in Pomona, said Tuesday officials are studying the allegations.

Police have said the checkpoints were set up to look for drunk drivers and traffic safety violations.

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